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Application of agriculture hydroponic technology with a view to reduce the gap between the animal nutritional requirements and availability of feed ingredients create an important role in animal and rabbit production. Hydroponic fodder production such as b arley is an alternative technology to cultivate fodder which provide the growing nutrients requirement for livestock feed with suitable prices, high quantity, a short growth period, a small land for production, a clean environment, water efficiently and re duces cultivate fodder resources. This study was investigated with view to give an overview on the possible role of hydroponic barley (HB) as a feed replacement in rabbit ration. Various scientific published research articles were used HB as a feed replace ment in rabbit ration. The most observed and analyzed productive and reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility and physiological responses. Positive effect of feeding HB was observed on serum metabolic profile and microbial count of caecum of rabbit s. However, the economics and nutritive values of hydroponic production system should be carefully estimated. This review provides an overview of and illustrates the positive effects of HB as a feed replacement in rabbit diets and their potential effects o n productive performance, economic return, nutrient digestibility, microbiology and gut health of growing rabbits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jojoba Oil and nanoparticles of Silver supplementation on growth performance, viability and economics in broiler chickens. A total of 192 Ross 308 broiler chicks (1-day-old) were allocated to 4 experimental treatments: CONT (control diet), JO (CONT diet with 150 mg/kg of Jojoba oil), Nano-Ag (CONT diet with 4 mg/kg nanoparticles of Silver), and JO+Nano-Ag (CONT diet plus Jojoba Oil and nanoparticles of Silver). Each treatment had 6 replicates of 8 birds. The experiments lasted for 35 days. Starter and grower diets, based on corn and soybean meal, and water were available ad libitum. Body weight and feed intake were measured from 0 to 35 days. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated. Survivability rate and cost economics were calculated. Statistical comparisons were performed using a One-way ANOVA. Supplementation of JO and Nano-Ag separately as well as in the form of combined usage, increased (P

This trial was conducted to assess the impact of medium-chain &alpha, monoglycerides, glycerol monolaurate (GML) supplementation on the growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AID%) of amino acids, intestinal histomorphology, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Three-day-old chicks (76.82 g &plusmn, 0.40, n = 200) were haphazardly allocated to four experimental groups with five replicates for each (10 chicks/replicate). The treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with four glycerol monolaurate levels, 0, 1, 3, or 5 g kg&minus, 1 (GML0, GML1, GML3, and GML5, respectively). Growth performance was determined at three periods (starter, grower, and finisher). Dietary GML had no significant effect on the growth performance parameters (body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio) through all the experimental periods. GML1 diet increased the AID% of leucine and decreased the AID% of arginine. GML1 diet increased the duodenal and jejunal villous height and the jejunal muscle thickness. GML3 and GML5 diets increased the goblet cell count in the duodenum. GML supplementation increased the serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. GML5 diet increased the serum levels of IgM and interleukin 10 compared to the control group. We could conclude that dietary supplementation of glycerol monolaurate can supplement broiler chicken diets up to 5 g kg&minus, 1 to enhance the immune status and intestinal histomorphology of birds with no improving effect on growth performance.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of dietary peppermint leaves and menthol supplementations on performance, survivability rate, cost economics, meat physicochemical properties, and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. A total of 384 1-day-old, unsexed Ross 308 broiler chicks, were divided into 2 experiments. Each experiment included 192 birds that were assigned to 4 dietary treatments that included peppermint leaves at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, or 15 g/kg in the first experiment or menthol at concentrations of 0, 26, 52, or 78 mg/kg in the second experiment. Each treatment had 6 replicate pens with 8 birds. The experiments lasted for 35 D. The peppermint leaves contained 1.48% essential oil that contained 35.1% menthol, and the levels of menthol were selected based on the concentrations in peppermint leaf levels. Body weight and body-weight gain increased with the increase in dietary peppermint leaves (linear, P0.01) and menthol concentrations (linear, quadratic, P0.01) during the trial periods. In addition, the feed intake linearly increased (P0.01) with increasing peppermint leaves or menthol levels and, in turn, caused linear improvements (P0.01) in feed conversion values. Interestingly, a lower mortality rate was recorded in the supplementation groups and, therefore, a higher net return was observed. However, pH values and drip loss percentage of breast and leg muscles were not affected by either dietary peppermint levels or menthol levels. Increasing peppermint or menthol levels decreased (P0.001) cook-loss percentage of breast and leg muscles. On the other hand, dietary supplementation of peppermint leaves or menthol had no effect (P ≥ 0.05) on the relative weights of dressing, breast, leg, liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, or pancreas. Interestingly, abdominal fat percentage was decreased by either supplemental peppermint or menthol. Hence, the present investigation demonstrates that peppermint leaves can be used as an effective novel nutritional bio-agent up to 15 g/kg to improve the performance of broiler chicks, mainly due to its active component.

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize in poultry industry with new tools for the molecular treatment of diseases and enhancing the ability of animal to absorb nutrients and therefore improving productive performance response of poultry. The essential trace elements play important roles such as nutrients metabolism, antioxidant, component of numerous metalloenzymes and protein. Nanoparticles zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) is the specially prepared mineral salt having particle size of 1 to 100 nm. It promotes growth can act as antibacterial agent, modulates the immunity and production of laying hens. Using of Nano-ZnO in laying hen's nutrition as nanoparticle size will help and improve the egg production sector. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to give an overview on the potential of Nano-ZnO as feed additives in laying hen diets, in order to explore the mechanism of the effects of Nano-ZnO supplementation on laying hen productive performance and to observe their influence on feed intake, ammonia emissions, digestibility, egg production, and egg quality.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nano-selenium (nano-Se), garlic oil, and their combination on nutrients digestibility, semen quality, serum testosterone and metabolites of male Californian rabbits. A total of 80 rabbits (120 days of age) were randomly distributed into four treatment groups of 20 rabbits each. Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with nano-Se (400 μg/kg), control diet supplemented with garlic oil (700 mg/kg), or control diet supplemented with combination of nano-Se (400 μg/kg) and garlic oil (700 mg/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days. The results showed that improvements were observed in body weight (BW) gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in nano-Se treated group than non-supplemented group, and an interaction effect was observed on final BW of rabbits. The digestibility of all measured nutrients were significantly higher (P

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of nanoparticles of zinc oxide in laying hen diets on laying performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and zinc retention. A total of one hundred and twenty Bovans Brown laying hens (55-week-old) were assigned to four treatment diets including nanoparticles of zinc oxide at 0, 20, 40, or 60 mg/kg, respectively, for 12 weeks. Each treatment had six replicates with five hens each. The results revealed that feed conversion ratio was significantly improved (linear, P

This study investigated the dietary effects of Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation on egg quality, laying performance, excreta ammonia concentrations and serum biochemistry of laying chickens during the late laying period. A total of 240 64-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were assigned to four treatment diets including Moringa oleifera leaves at 0, 3, 6 or 9 g/kg, respectively, for eight weeks. The treatments had twelve replicates with five hens each. The results revealed that incremental dietary Moringa oleifera leaves significantly increased (p &lt, 0.01) egg weight, production, and mass through 64–68, 68–72 and 64–72 weeks of age. Simultaneously, feed conversion ratio was significantly improved (p &lt, 0.01) with Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation compared with the control. Haugh units and the thickness of eggshells significantly improved as a response to diets supplemented with 3, 6 and 9 g/kg Moringa oleifera leaves at 72 weeks of age. Interestingly, excreta ammonia concentrations, serum cholesterol, aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase significantly decreased by Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation compared with the control group. In conclusion, introducing Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation at 3, 6 and 9 g/kg increased egg production, eggshell quality, Haugh units, and decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides, excreta ammonia concentrations besides serum liver enzymes, uric acid and creatinine. Overall, based on the observed results, Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation was very promising and these leaves could be used as an effective feed additive in laying hens’ diet during the late laying period.

The present study aimed to determine the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the nutrient digestibility coefficients, reproductive parameters, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits. One hundred rabbits, 29-weeks of age (initial body weight 3.48 &plusmn, 0.08 kg) were randomly distributed into four groups, 25 rabbits each. Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg), THO (500 mg/kg), or combination of ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg) and THO (500 mg/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Results showed improvements in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber in ZnO-NPs, THO, and their combination treated groups compared to those of control. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm motility, vitality, and morphology were significantly improved (p &lt, 0.01) in ZnO-NPs and THO groups rather than the control. Both ZnO-NPs and THO, as either individual or combined treatments significantly improved the serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), urea, and creatinine compared to the control. Moreover, serum concentrations of testosterone were significantly increased in rabbits supplemented with ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination compared to those of control (p &lt, 0.05). In conclusion, ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination improved the digestibility of nutrients, liver/ kidney functions, semen characteristics, and testosterone concentration in male rabbits.

Background The aim of this study is to investigate whether the energy matrix values of the nonstarch polysaccharide- (NSP-) degrading enzymes, bioemulsifier (LYSOFORTE®), guanidinoacetic acid (CreAMINO®), or their combinations could be summed. The effects of these additives on the growth performance, carcass traits, and economic value of the broiler chicken diets were evaluated. A total of 525-one-day-old Ross chicks with an initial body weight of 42.96 ± 0.87 g were haphazardly allocated into seven groups with five replicates. The seven experimental treatments are as follows: (1) basal diet with no additives (breeder recommendation), which is the control group, (2) basal diet minus 100 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.02% NSP-degrading enzymes (NSP), (3) basal diet minus 50 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.025% emulsifier (LYSOFORTE®), (4) basal diet minus 50 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.06% guanidinoacetic acid (CreAMINO®), (5) basal diet minus 150 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP and LYSOFORTE® (NSPL), (6) basal diet minus 100 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP and CreAMINO® (NSPC), and (7) basal diet minus 200 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP, LYSO, and CreAMINO® (NSPLC). The experiment lasted for 35 days. Results It was found that the final body weight, body weight gain, and relative growth rate were significantly higher in birds fed diets supplemented with NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value. The overall feed conversion ratio was significantly improved due to the supplementation of NSPC, CreAMINO, NSPL, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value compared to the control group. Moreover, no significant effect on the carcass criteria was observed by the different treatments. As a result of the dietary supplementation with NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO®, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value, the net profit, total return, economic efficiency, and performance index were increased and the cost of feed per kg of body weight gain was decreased. Conclusion The energy matrix value of NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO®, and LYSOFORTE could be established in the diets of broiler chickens to improve the growth performance and economic efficiency.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization of alternative protein feed ingredients including sunflower meal (SFM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) as a mixture in a partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) in broiler finisher diets with different protein levels and also to evaluate their effect on birds’ performance, environmental aspects of litter, cecal microbes, and economic prospects. A total of 576 (19 days old) Cobb 500 broiler chicks were fed eight finisher diets consisting of 4 control (CTL) diets based on SBM with different crude protein (CP) levels (CTL21, CTL20, CTL19, and CTL18, containing 21%, 20%, 19%, and 18% CP, respectively) and 4 test diets with alternative protein sources (APS21, APS20, APS19, and APS18, containing 21%, 20%, 19%, and 18% CP, respectively) using a 15% combination of alternative protein sources (2.5% CGM, 5% SFM, and 7.5% DDGS) until 35 days of age. The results indicated that birds fed test diets APS21 and APS20 recorded the highest (P P Lactobacillus spp. (P Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were not affected by CTL or APS diets. The counts of cecal Salmonella spp. increased in the CTL21 group compared to other groups. In conclusion, alternative feed ingredients (protein sources) in broiler finisher diets have positive effects in a sustainable way on the productive performance, litter and cecal microbial counts, and improved economic efficiency when compared to CTL diets.

The present study aimed at assessing the efficiency of thyme essential oil (TEO) as an alternative to antibiotics for improving the productive performance and serum metabolic profile of male rabbits. A total of one hundred and fifty 70-day-old male Californian rabbits were assigned to five dietary treatments, including a basal diet as a negative control (NC), a basal diet supplemented with an antibiotic as a positive control (PC), and a basal diet supplemented with 60, 120, or 180&thinsp, mg/kg of TEO. The experiment period lasted for 60 days. Supplementation of TEO levels significantly (P &lt, &thinsp, 0.01) increased daily body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio of male Californian rabbits compared to NC and PC groups. Similarly, the TEO remarkably enhanced the semen characteristics of rabbits compared to NC and PC groups. Supplementation of TEO significantly decreased aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, urea, and creatinine compared with NC and PC groups. Supplementation with TEO increased serum testosterone concentration compared to NC and PC treatments. Our data demonstrate that TEO levels up to 180&thinsp, mg/kg can play a major role as an alternative to dietary antibiotics, in improving the productive performance, semen quality, testosterone levels, and the kidney and liver functions in California male rabbits.

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.

BackgroundThis study was performed to investigate the effect of Alpha-galactosidase (AlphaGal) supplementation with two energy levels on the growth performance, amino acid ileal digestibility coefficient “AID%,” economic value, intestinal histology, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Two-hundred 3-day-old broiler chicks (average body weight 74.34 g ±0.52 Ross 308) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two energy diets groups: in the first group, the birds were fed on a recommended energy diet (RED) while the second group was reduced 120 kcal/kg diet as a low energy diet (LED) and two levels of AlphaGal (0 or 50 mg/kg diet) for RED and LED for the 35-day feeding period.ResultsThe interaction effects between the energy level and the AlphaGal supplementations resulted in significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the body weight, body weight gain, and the relative growth rate. The feed conversion ratio was signficantly increased in LED without supplementation of AlphaGal group during the entire experimental period, this negative effect on the growth performance was corrected by AlphaGal supplementation. The AID% value was increased significantly by AlphaGal supplementation. Blood triglyceride concentrations were significantly decreased (P = 0.02) in the LED group with or without AlphaGal supplementation, while the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly decreased (P = 0.01) in the LED or RED groups supplemented with 50 mg RED AlphaGal. Histologically, the number of intestinal glands and goblet cells increased in both RED and LED groups supplemented with AlphaGal and their secretions were mainly neutral mucopolysaccharides and less acidic mucopolysaccharides.ConclusionAlphaGal supplementation improved the growth performance of broiler chickens fed LED and the growth performance is similar to those fed RED, thereby consequently improving the economic value of these diets. AlphaGal supplementation improves intestinal histology and morphology as well.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of thyme essential oil supplementation in rabbit rations on performance, carcass criteria, and meat quality under hot environmental conditions. A total of 75, 4-week-old Californian male rabbits were assigned to 5 dietary treatments until 12 weeks of age. The rabbits were reared in an open house system (38 °C average ambient temperature and 26% to 35% relative humidity). Treatments were as follows: unsupplemented standard ration, negative control (CON); standard ration supplemented with 1.50 g/kg olive oil as carrier, positive control (POS); POS + 50 mg/kg thyme oil (TO1); POS + 100 mg/kg thyme oil (TO2); and POS + 150 mg/kg thyme oil (TO3). Dietary thyme oil up to 150 mg/kg improved (P

Heat stress is exposing birds to degrees of temperature higher than the optimal, which results in numerous health problems i.e. respiratory deficits decrease feed intake and thus lower weight at marketing age. Heat stress represents one of the most important factor that has negative effects on poultry production. Heat stress also leads to negative effects on the carcass properties and thus lower meat quality, consequently leads to severe shortage in the market. Most important solutions are using feed additives that have positive effects for resisting thermal stress. Betaine that has several other beneficial effects of mild heat stress. Most of the trials were reported slight positive effects; however, systematic results were rare. Since there are almost unlimited possibilities concerning dosage and products of betaine there is still more research required. Nevertheless, there is still further research under more standardized conditions needed to evaluate the right dosage and combination as well as the exact mechanism of actions of anti-stress effects of betaine.

Nutritional strategies like using combination of phytogenics and natural feed additives that could improve productive performance and meat quality of rabbits are of great importance to the meat industry and consumers. Fenugreek seeds and probiotics are considered safe and important natural feed additives. This experiment was carried out to assess the impact of fenugreek seeds and probiotic combinations on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass criteria, and serum hormones of growing rabbits. A total number of 128 growing New Zealand White rabbits (average body weight 840±55 g, 45 days of age) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups (n = 32; 16 males and 16 females’ rabbit per group). The first group was fed the basal diet without fenugreek seeds and probiotics and acted as the control (Tc). The other three groups were given 5 g/kg of dry fenugreek seeds and 150 mg/kg probiotic (AmPhi-Bact®) (TF5:P150), 10 g/kg dry fenugreek seeds and 300 mg/kg probiotic (TF10:P300), or 15 g/kg dry fenugreek seeds and 450 mg/kg probiotic (TF15:P450), respectively, for 6 weeks (wks). Fenugreek and probiotics supplementation substantially enhanced (P

Spirulina has been used as a food source from many years for human and animals because of its superior profile of nutrition. Spirulina (SPA) having antiviral activities can boost immune system, and better nutritional profile can increase growth performance by improving gut morphology. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of spirulina supplementation in ration on the humoral and cellular immune response, gut histomorphology, and economics of broiler production. A total of 120 day-old chicks were assigned to 4 dietary treatment; SPA0, SPA1, SPA2, and SPA3, each with 3 replicates having 10 birds in each replicate until 42 days of age. Treatment SPA0 was kept as control, and the birds were fed on basal ration, while the other treatments SPA1, SPA2, and SPA3 were supplemented with 1, 1.5, and 2 g spirulina/kg feed, respectively. Dietary supplementation of SPA3 significantly (P

Herbal plants and their extracts are commonly used as feed supplements to improve the performance and physiology of poultry. This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of peppermint oil in laying hens’ diets on laying performance, egg quality, nutrients digestibility, and serum metabolic profile. A total of two hundred Bovans brown laying hens (32 weeks old) were assigned to five treatment diets including peppermint oil at 0, 74, 148, 222, and 296 mg/kg, respectively, for 12 weeks. Each treatment had eight replicates with five hens each. The results revealed that the incremental dietary peppermint oil linearly increased (P

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation on performance, survivability rate, microbial populations, ammonia production, liver function, and meat physicochemical properties as well as carcass characteristics in broiler chicks under hot climatic conditions. A total of 320 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments as follows: control diet without synbiotic (S0), synbiotic at 500 mg/kg for starter diet and 250 mg/kg grower diet (S1), synbiotic at 1000 mg/kg for starter diet and 500 mg/kg grower diet (S2), and synbiotic at 1500 mg/kg for starter diet and 750 mg/kg grower diet (S3). Each treatment had 10 replicate pens with 8 birds. Diets were formulated using corn, sorghum, soybean meal, corn gluten meal and sunflower oil as major ingredients to meet the nutrient requirements for starter (1 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 35 d) periods. The experiment lasted for 35 d. The results showed that body weight and body weight gain were increased (linear, P0.01) with the increase in dietary synbiotic feeding during the trial period. In addition, the feed intake linearly increased (P0.001) with increasing synbiotic levels and, in turn, caused linear improvements (P0.001) in feed conversion values. Interestingly, E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella were decreased (P0.001) by supplemental synbiotic levels compared to the control group during the entire study. Furthermore, there was beneficial effects on excreta ammonia reduction (P0.001) by supplementation of synbiotic groups compared to control. Increasing synbiotic levels decreased (P0.001) drip loss and cook loss percentage of breast and leg muscles without any significant changes in pH values. Dressing, breast, and leg percentages were increased, and abdominal fat percentage was decreased by supplemental synbiotic levels. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated that synbiotic can be used as an effective feed additive to improve productive performance, meat quality, and ammonia reduction as well as decrease microbial populations of broiler chicks in hot climatic regions.

1. Two separate experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of either prebiotic or synbiotic on growth performance, carcass yield, organ weights, and serum metabolic profile of broilers under hot climatic conditions. 2. In experiment 1, 150 1-d-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were fed dietary synbiotic (Biomin® IMBO, 0, 1 or 1.5 g kg

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of prebiotic, betaine and their combination in duck diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass criteria and cecum microbial population of ducks under hot environmental conditions. Treatment groups were fed on a control diet, the control diet supplemented with prebiotic as Bio mannanoligosaccharides (Bio MOS, 1 g/kg), the control diet supplemented with Betaine (1.5 g/kg) and the control diet supplemented with a combination of Bio MOS (1 g/kg) and Betaine (1.5 g/kg). A total of 80 Mollar ducks (average weight = 620.91 g, 20 day of age) were randomly assigned into 4 equal treatment. Each treatment was sub-divided into 5 replicates pens (4 ducks per pen) for 35 day from 20th of April to 25th of May 2017 in open house. Supplementation of Bio MOS and Betaine, separately as well as combined, significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio. Digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber had significantly increased by the three additions. Total count of E.coli bacteria had decreased significantly and the total count of lactobacillus bacteria had increased significantly in prebiotic and combination treatments. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, intestinal weight and live body weight had improved significantly by the three treatments comparison with control one, however, liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, cecum and head weight didn’t affect by the additions.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of dried peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) leaves in laying hen diets on laying performance, egg quality, and serum metabolic profile. A total of one hundred and fifty Hy-Line Brown laying hens (64-week-old), were assigned to five treatment diets including dry peppermint leaves at 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/kg, respectively, for 12 weeks. Each treatment had six replicates with five hens each. Over the course of the trial, incremental dietary peppermint leaves significantly increased (linear, P

a b s t r a c t This study evaluated the effects of thyme (experiment 1) or oregano (experiment 2) on growth performance and gastrointestinal microflora in broilers. In each experiment a total of 120 four-day-old Ross 308 boiler chickens were assigned to the basal control diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 g/kg of thyme or oregano (n = 10 per diet, each replicate consists of two birds). Overall growth performance of the broilers fed the basal diet was below standards with 42-day body weights ranging from slightly above 1500 g to about 1900 g. As all diets including the control had the same energy and nutrient concentrations, this should not compromise the comparison among the diets. Improvements for body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) were observed in both experiments, however feed intake was increased (P < 0.001) only by oregano addition. Colony forming units of Lactobacillus spp. were reduced (P < 0.05) for thyme and oregano supplemented groups, whereas no changes were observed for colony forming units of total plate counts. In conclusion, thyme and oregano supplemented at 15 or 20 g/kg diet can be used as effective feed additives to improve performance of broilers.

SUMMARY Influence of beak trimming and stocking density on performance and egg quality of laying hens in a tropical environment was studied in 189 laying hens (Hy-Line) at 38 weeks of age. All birds divided into three groups. First group of the birds were kept with intact beaks as a control. Second groupabout 3 mm of the upper and the lower part of the beak were removed by a hot blade at 38 weeks of age. Third group about 3 mm of the upper and the lower part of the beak were removed by a hot blade at 38 weeks of age and again at 50 weeks of age. Each group was subdivided into three stocking density 6, 7 or 8 birds from each three replicates. Egg mass, feed consumptionand Feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly for 16 weeks experimental periods. In addition egg production and egg weight were recorded continuously for16 weeks of age. There were no significant difference between the be ak trimmed and control birds for egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake and FCR for the experimental period. Egg mass and feed intake were significantly higher and FCR was significantly lower in 6 birds stocking density in trimmed and control group. Interaction effects of stocking density and the beak-trimmed hens showed a significanteffect in egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed intake and FCR from 38 to 54 weeks of age. There were significant difference between the beak trimmed and stocking density on some egg quality measurements at 54 weeks of age.It has been concluded that moderate beak trimming in laying hens has only a short term effect onfeed intake, some egg productionsand egg quality traits.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of thymol, synbiotic (Biomin, IMBO) and their combination in laying hen diets on laying performance, egg quality and serum metabolic profile from 24 to 36 weeks of age. Treatment groups were fed on a control diet, the control diet supplemented with thymol (250 mg/kg), the control diet supplemented with synbiotic (250 mg/kg) or the control diet supplemented with a combination of thymol (250 mg/kg) and synbiotic (250 mg/kg). Supplementation of thymol and synbiotic, separately as well as combined, improved egg weight, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio from 24 to 36 weeks of age. The eggs obtained from thymol, synbiotic or their combination treatments displayed higher values of shell thickness, Haugh unit and shell percentage compared to the control. Serum cholesterol significantly decreased in the single or combined form of thymol and synbiotic supplementation treatments.

Journal of Experimental and Applied Animal Sciences (JEAAS) has recently been launched. On one side, JEAAS has a strong focus on classical veterinary sciences (Intzoglou et al. 2014; Graham et al. 2014; Deluzurieux et al. 2013; Soriano-Ubeda et al. 2013) and animal models in basic research (Mishra et al. 2013; Zarrindast et al. 2013; Ikewuchi et al. 2013). However, JEAAS has also a strong focus in toxicology (Mallaiah et al. 2014; Pullanna and Philip 2014; Musk et al. 2014; Rezaei et al. 2014). Articles comparing in vitro systems to the in vivo situation are particularly welcome. We hope that JEAAS will play a constructive role in this rapidly developing research field and invite manuscripts of high quality and relevance.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a temporary quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass criteria of rabbits. A total of 80 weaned male Californian rabbits (30 d of age) were randomly assigned to four treatments of 20 rabbits each. The Control group was fed ad libitum during the whole experimental period (days 30-72 of age). For the three restricted fed groups the feed intake was reduced by 15%, 30% and 45% compared to the Control group, respectively. The feed restriction was applied after weaning and lasted for 21 d. Thereafter, at 51 d of age, in all treatments the feed supply returned to ad libitum intake till 72 d of age (AL period). The feed restriction decreased the body weight gain of rabbits (during the restriction period and the whole experimental period, p0.001) and improved feed conversion ratio during all tested periods (p0.001). In the AL period, the daily body weight gain of all groups was similar. After the AL period, the digestibility of all measured nutrients was significantly higher for animals fed restrictively. Furthermore, feed restrictions significantly decreased the proportion of perirenal and scapular fat and increased relative weight and length of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it can be concluded that the applied feed restriction improved feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and reduced fat at the slaughter age of Californian rabbits, but the reduced body weight gain could not be compensated by a subsequent ad libitum feeding for 3 weeks.

Recently, large efforts are undertaken to reduce the number of experimental animals used in toxicology (Scanu et al., 2011; Nigsch et al., 2011; Doktorova et al., 2012).